This is a 1/35 scale model of the Russian T-38 amphibious tank from WWII. The model was made from the MPM re-boxing of the Condor kit, and it came with a small fret of photoetched parts. It was built mostly out of the box. I cut open the turret hatch and replaced the 20mm gun […]
A while ago, I saw a Time photo essay on the war in Chechnya. It had some stunning pictures of the war and devastation in the capital city of Grozny. One of the images that caught my eye was of a Russian soldier, holding an AK-74 with a German Shepherd standing at his side. I
Russian soldier and dog, Grozny 2000 Read More »
Browsing through the FriedrichFiles I found a page describing a small steam powered torpedo launch. It was designed for the German Imperial Navy, to be based on board battleships. No date for the drawing is given, but it probably dates between the late 1800s to 1918. I was intrigued by the design, and it looked
German Imperial Navy torpedo steam launch Read More »
In 2004, I decided to try and scratch-build a “tramp steamer” or a small cargo ship. The inspiration came from several sources; Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”(although that wasn’t a steamer), the first Indiana Jones movie, and some B&W movies from the 1930s and 40s, like “Passage to Marseille” with Humphrey Bogart. It featured an old,
Cargo Ship “Marathon” Read More »
This is the Emhar 1/35 scale British Mk.IV “Female” tank from WWI. The tank came out better than I had expected, considering the look of the parts in the box. I built this kit as a diversion from my usual subjects, so I didn’t bother to check for accuracy, etc.; it was actually quite relaxing
British Mk. IV “Female” tank Read More »
Academy/Minicraft Models has a series of small, simple box scale model aircraft kits. One of the planes in the series is the 1/480 scale C-5A Galaxy Transport. There’s an in box preview at Modeling Madness. There’s not much to the kit, but it’s nicely molded and fits together well. I like the design and engine
US Air Force STOL Cargo Plane Read More »
This is a What-if? based on the excellent Meng 1/72 scale Ki-98 fighter kit. The Ki-98 was a proposed Japanese WWII fighter that never went into production. The Meng kit is beautifully molded, has excellent fit and goes together with no problems. I just didn’t want to build it as “designed”. I decided to make
ki-98/VG-98 in French Markings Read More »
In the 60’s, the Hawk corporation released a conceptual model of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). It was based on an Atlas booster and had a clear nose section and a detailed (for the time) interior.My favorite feature of this model were the two lifting body re-entry vehicles. Sven Knudsen has scans of the Hawk
Re-entry Vehicle, Experimental Read More »
“Destination Moon” is a classic Science Fiction movie from 1950, and the first attempt to make a plausible, scientifically correct movie about space travel. The nuclear powered spaceship Luna became an icon. Skyhook Models sells a series of small and simple resin models of spacecraft from classic 1950s SF movies. Their kit of the “Luna”
Spaceship Luna from “Destination Moon” Read More »
One of my favorite 50’s Science fiction movies is 1956’s “Earth vs. The Flying Saucers”, with effects by Ray Harryhausen. Skyhook Models sells a series of small and simple resin models of spacecraft from classic 1950s SF movies. They have several kits from “Earth vs. The Flying Saucers”, including a small diorama depicting a saucer
Earth vs. the Flying Saucers Read More »